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Home
Spotlight On
Beautiful Homes
Meet The Team
Behind the Name
Our Showrooms
Visit Jim Lawrence Website
Made By Us
  • Home
  • Spotlight On
  • Beautiful Homes
  • Meet The Team
  • Behind the Name
  • Our Showrooms
  • Visit Jim Lawrence Website
  • Made By Us
Jim Lawrence Blog - Jim Lawrence Blog
Meet The Team

Meet The Jim Lawrence Quality Control Team

Ever wondered how we test the stability of our glass shades, or how hardy our chains are? Have you pondered over how we monitor the perfect paint shade and ensure the trustworthiness of our nuts and bolts? We want you to be confident that your lights, sockets, switches and poles are the best they can be. Just as our products are made by hand, they’re checked by hand too. We caught up with Senior QC Engineer Nick Rogers to find out more about how we test and try our products under the meticulous eyes of our Quality Control team.

Firstly, can you tell us who makes up the team, and how you got into this line of work?

I am the Senior QC Engineer, Mark is Head of Engineering Quality, Lorraine and Shane are our QC Technicians and Harry operates as QC Support to check the glass.

Can you explain what the QC team do at Jim Lawrence?

Well, the overall aim of our job is very simple – to reduce the number of Free of Charge (FOC) items we send out to customer to replace faulty or damaged goods and to reduce the amount of scrap that we produce. If we’re successful, our customers are happy as they have better quality products and the company is happy that we’ve saved thousands of pounds worth of scrap.

There two sides to our QC. One is more of a Quality Assurance role where we come up with strategies to make the company more efficient and cost effective by looking at all the manufacturing procedures we do here to see how they can be monitored to find problems earlier on in the making process. Usually, the earlier you catch them, the easier it is to put right and the quicker we can give everyone the ‘heads up’. This way we prevent mistakes and ensure there is consistency. With a bit of training, everyone becomes their own QC team.

The other side of the job is to test our components and products to make sure they meet the required standards. To do this we work with our suppliers, other Jim Lawrence departments and our customers to get feedback, think of workarounds and solve problems.

 

Talk us through your typical working day.

I honestly don’t think there is such a thing as a typical day, which is one of the things I love about this job. Any plans you have are usually blown out of the water by about 10.30am! In QC you spend a lot of time looking at problems and how you can resolve them. You’re always asking yourself, is there a problem with this? Why? How did it pass QC first time round? What can I do about it? How can I correct it? How can I stop it happening again?

Every morning we have a meeting with our Returns Dept to go through the FOC orders to see why things are being returned and if there is a genuine quality issue that needs looking at. This is often the issue that dictates what we do for the rest of the day. If there is a problem, we may need to remove the product from sale until it is corrected.

Some days we might find that a shipment of components has arrived that we will sample check and find that they don’t meet our standards, so we have to work with the supplier to see if they can be returned or if we can rework them in the workshop. Other days there may be an issue with a piece of machinery that has affected the quality of a product, or a staff absence which has had a random effect. There is always something to keep you on your feet.

What’s the criteria you look at when testing our products?

Everything needs to be checked to make sure it complies UK standards and our own design specifications. First, we use our own judgement to look at products to make sure the finish is right and that it is consistent. Then we use a range of clever measuring devices to sample check products to make sure they have been made to the standard spec. It is up to us to work with the technical team to make sure the specs are up to date and followed by everyone in the company so that we are all working in the same way. The design team will have considered the durability of the product when designing it, so as long as the measurements comply, it’s a good test that it has been made properly.

What happens if products don’t pass QC?

The first thing we do is put them into ‘quarantine’ so they don’t get muddled up with the rest of the stock, while investigations are under way. If it is a component that is wrong, we have to talk to the supplier to resolve the issue and see if we can correct it in-house or send it back. If it is one of our products, we have to consider how many of them are wrong, whether we should send them back to the workshop to be re-worked or whether they will have to be scrapped. We also have to ask ourselves what we can do to stop the same problem happening again. Do we need new or better equipment? More training? Better components? A new design?

When it comes to more fragile items like glass, how do you go about testing a product without deliberately trying to break it? It must be a meticulous task.

Yes, we can’t go around smashing things. We have a special device that uses a magnet to measure the thickness of the neck of the glass, which is important as that is where you unscrew the shade to change the bulb or clean it. We also use Vernier gauges, calipers and micrometres to check other parts of the glass.

A lot of our job roles are hands on here at Jim Lawrence, but it must be really fun to pick apart our products all day. What’s the best part of the role?

I love the fact it is so varied. No two days are the same. I go home every day having learnt something new, so it is constantly challenging. It’s a funny thing, but no matter how much I think I know about our products and the issues that sometime arise, there is always something new! I enjoy working with the engineering and design teams to investigate issues and working out ways we can overcome them and it’s very satisfying when you get good customer feedback having solved a problem for someone.

With all your expertise, what would you say makes our lighting and homeware high quality?

You can see our products have heart and soul, that’s what makes them different from our competitors. They look and feel better because they are handmade. They may not be perfect, but in my book, they are all the better for it. You can see our products have been made with real care and attention. There are not that many places where you can buy something that has been individually hand forged or glass blown. And everyone, not just the makers, but everyone who works here, cares about our products.

 

Can you recommend some tips for customers when it comes to taking care of their items? For example, getting the most use out of a light.

A lot of thought and attention has gone into making sure the raw materials are as robust as possible. I’d say you should treat your Jim Lawrence product like a fine wine. It will work happily for years in your room with gentle handling and a bit of care and attention – like using warm soapy water to keep it in tip top condition. If you are worried handling a light, make sure there is someone there to help you.

Finally, what’s the best part of working for a family business like Jim Lawrence?

I like the fact that everyone is very approachable, unlike more corporate businesses, and that you really get a sense of working together. Jim Lawrence is special because here you are part of a fairly small but very dedicated team of people who incredibly good at their jobs and are passionate about what they do. They are always prepared to go that extra mile to make sure our customers are happy with the products we make.

You can browse all of our hand forged products on our website and enjoy other stylish customer homes on Instagram. Don’t forget to tag us in your own imagery on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook – we love seeing our products in their new homes. 

Working with us means joining an ever-growing family of talented artisan craftsmen and business influencers. Having such a cross section of skills and talents under one roof gives us the chance to offer a fantastically broad range of new challenges throughout our staff, and our exciting career development programmes are tailored to help you grow and make the most of every opportunity within the business.

At the heart of this company we still have a ‘roll your sleeves up and get it done’ mentality that means everyone pitches in and helps no matter what the challenge – there’s no corporate boardrooms here! People tend to stay…we have an amazingly high staff retention rate (averaging 90% annually) which is testament to a genuine belief that our business is only as strong as the links that bind it.

So, if you are looking for an interesting job that challenges and stretches you, in an environment where it’s not unusual to be greeted by a friendly dog (or two) at the door then we are the company for you! We are always keen to hear from new talent, even if your perfect role isn’t currently listed above.

If you would like to apply or request further details on any of the roles, please email us your CV to recruitment@jim-lawrence.co.uk

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Welcome to the Jim Lawrence Style Journal.

We are a British interiors company creating beautiful lighting, ironwork and home furnishings from our Suffolk workshop.

This is where we share ideas that we love, show sneak peeks behind the scenes of our brand and offer a unique insight into classic design.

jimlawrencemade

Jim Lawrence Lighting & Home
Take a quiet moment 🕯️⁠ ⁠ Create a snug r Take a quiet moment 🕯️⁠
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Create a snug retreat for darker mornings and longer evenings with rich textures, gentle lighting, and thoughtful details.⁠
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A well-placed lamp casts a comforting glow, while natural materials bring warmth and added charm. Whether it’s a favourite armchair or a quiet corner of the sofa, having a comfortable nook at home is an autumn–winter essential.⁠
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Tap these images via the link in our bio to explore our full home furnishings collection.
Set within a Grade II listed home dating back to t Set within a Grade II listed home dating back to the 1600s, each space from @_our_housetohome_ blends historic character with timeless design.⁠
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Nat captures a range of our designs at their best. Showcasing the warmth and elegance of our lighting from mid-century chandeliers, more subtle sconces, and statement glass, her styling choices are a true reflection of how lighting transforms a house into a home.⁠
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Visit her profile to indulge in more imagery, and visit us at jim-lawrence.co.uk to shop each look.
We are holding a lampshade making workshop in our We are holding a lampshade making workshop in our Suffolk showroom, giving you the rare opportunity to create your own lampshade to take home.⁠
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Join us the 15th October and create your own timeless piece by hand whilst guided by our expert makers.⁠
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Places are £65 per person for groups of up to 8 people and include:⁠
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-A 35cm wide cylinder shade in a fabric of your choice (excluding faux silk)⁠
-Jim Lawrence workshop tour.⁠
-£10 discount voucher to spend in the showroom on the day⁠
-Refreshments⁠
-A curated Jim Lawrence gift bag with thoughtful take-home pieces⁠
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Tap the ‘Tickets’ button via the link in our bio to secure your place today.
Last week, we welcomed our friends and family to c Last week, we welcomed our friends and family to celebrate the opening of our new London showroom on Pimlico Road.⁠ It may not be big, but it holds everything you need to understand our passion for quality and design.⁠
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To visit and browse our collection in person, find us at 94 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8PL. If you want to chat to us in advance about what’s on display, please call us on 01473 826945.⁠
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We look forward to welcoming you soon!
Based in Henley-on-Thames and working across the H Based in Henley-on-Thames and working across the Home Counties and London, Anna Moss is the founder of @mosslivinginteriors, known for creating elegant, timeless spaces with personality. ⁠
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Her love of interiors began in childhood, trailing through antique shops and soaking up inspiration from her family studio. After a decade in marketing, she took the leap and launched her own practice in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. Today, Anna’s designs blend classic foundations with contemporary touches, always tailored to the lives and stories of her clients.⁠
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Tap the blog link in our bio to see more.
We are holding two lampshade making workshops in o We are holding two lampshade making workshops in our Suffolk showroom, giving you the rare opportunity to create your own lampshade to take home.⁠
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Choose from the 15th October or the 20th November to join us and create your own timeless piece by hand whilst guided by our expert makers.⁠
⁠
Places are £65 per person for groups of up to 8 people and include:⁠
⁠
-A 35cm wide cylinder shade in a fabric of your choice (excluding faux silk)⁠
-Jim Lawrence workshop tour.⁠
-£10 discount voucher to spend in the showroom on the day⁠
-Refreshments⁠
-A curated Jim Lawrence gift bag with thoughtful take-home pieces⁠
⁠
Tap the ‘Tickets’ button via the link in our bio to secure your place today.
There's nothing like a crackling fire to make a ho There's nothing like a crackling fire to make a house feel like home. Our fireside collection is crafted in Suffolk using traditional ironwork techniques: simple, elegant, and made to last.⁠
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Explore our fire place accessories and companion tools by tapping this image in the link in our bio.
Whether it’s a row of wall lights casting soft p Whether it’s a row of wall lights casting soft pools of light, a statement pendant drawing the eye upward, or layered accents that highlight architectural details, good hallway lighting serves as a welcoming invitation to the rest of the home.⁠
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@coopersofsurreyltd has featured both our Morston wall lights and Conway pendant in matching Antiqued Brass to add warmth to this calming, neutral space. ⁠
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Visit jim-lawrence.co.uk to get the look.⁠
When thoughtfully placed, a mirror does more than When thoughtfully placed, a mirror does more than reflect: it amplifies natural light and creates a sense of space. Our collection is designed to transform any room, with a range of styles and finishes to suit every interior.⁠
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The Hepworth, as featured by @southernhomesuk, was made with dressing tables in mind. Crafted from solid steel and powder painted in matt black, metallic bronze, or plain ivory, this adjustable mirror with frame brings an elegance to every day routines.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to browse more designs.⁠
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Easy to fit without the need for internal wiring, Easy to fit without the need for internal wiring, plug-ins are a flexible solution for quick-fix fittings that have the same quality as a traditional light.⁠
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The vintage-style flex can be draped where you desire, with the in-line switch just in reach when you need it.⁠
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Our Carrick Light, pictured here, is thoughtfully designed and made in several beautiful iterations, offering a versatile option to suit a range of spaces and styles.⁠
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Discover more plug-in designs at jim-lawrence.co.uk.⁠
By hugging the ceiling, our collection of flush mo By hugging the ceiling, our collection of flush mount ceiling lighting offers a refined version of our most popular pendants, whilst maximising your existing ceiling height. Designed to provide even, ambient light without taking up too much space, they’re ideal for hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms like this one from @katherinetaylorinteriors.⁠
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The Shotley glass is handblown in Suffolk, and gently coaxed into its fluted form with a sweetly scalloped edge, available for flush mounted designs like this, or as wall and pendant lighting throughout the rest of the home.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to shop more flush inspiration for your daintier spaces.⁠
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Never underestimate the power of a well-placed tab Never underestimate the power of a well-placed table lamp. Whether it’s adding a warm glow to a reading nook or enhancing a hallway console, table lamps play a key role in restoring balance, and bringing a warmer atmosphere into your home.

The secret to a truly polished look is finding the perfect lampshade. Too big, and it overwhelms the base. Too small, and it will skew proportions.

Our simple guide to sizing your shades will help you get it just right, ensuring your table lamps feel in tune with the space around them. Tap this reel via the link in our bio to read more.
Nautical lighting design remains a popular choice Nautical lighting design remains a popular choice for outdoor spaces thanks to its blend of timeless coastal charm and practical durability. Originally crafted to withstand the harshest maritime conditions, these vintage-inspired looks offer both style and substance for enhancing exterior settings. ⁠
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Our award-winning Boathouse Light strikes this balance effortlessly. With its classic bell-shaped shade and curved swan neck arm, it brings a refined yet robust presence to any outdoor space, ensuring that it's an enduring favourite for all kinds of properties.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to browse our full outdoor collection.
Celebrating the hints of September sun in our Bath Celebrating the hints of September sun in our Bath, London, and Suffolk showrooms.⁠
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If you find yourself in Walcot, Pimlico, or Hadleigh, enjoy a glimpse into our collection of lighting and home accessories, with thoughtfully curated displays to suit each unique sapce.⁠
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For individual opening times, please visit our website for more details.
Rich brown hues in the home are earthy, timeless, Rich brown hues in the home are earthy, timeless, and can serve as a 'neutral', allowing other materials to sing against a grounded but luxury-looking backdrop.⁠
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This en-suite from @karlylouise_x exudes comfort and calm with its coffee-toned palette. Paired with brass details that blend in beautifully, the space proves that thoughtfully layered dark tones elevate instead of overpower.⁠
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Swipe to see Karly's lighting choice in further detail: our Cheltenham lights in softly antiqued brass.
Designed and made by us, Jim Lawrence multi-pendan Designed and made by us, Jim Lawrence multi-pendant lights are carefully crafted to leave a lasting first impression.

Elevate your home entrances, hallways, and stairwells with our luxury collection of multi-pendant ceiling lights, available in striking cluster, track, and cascade designs. ⁠Aysa of @thehighlandhome has selected the Barbican Five Pendant Rose in Antiqued Brass. Expertly crafted from solid, natural brass and gently antiqued to create a beautifully aged finish, this piece brings warmth, character, and a bold statement to her contemporary home.

Tap the reel via the link in our bio to shop the look.
Basking in the natural light of our Pimlico Road s Basking in the natural light of our Pimlico Road showroom 💡 

We’re drawn to unique architecture that perfectly showcases our craftsmanship, and with lofty ceilings and expansive glass frontage, our latest showroom is flooded with beautiful light to highlight every detail at its finest.

To visit, find us at 94 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8PL. If you want to chat to us in advance about what’s on display, please call us on 01473 826945. 

For easy access, the interior is all on one level and the nearest Tube is Sloane Square. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
At Jim Lawrence, we design and craft almost everyt At Jim Lawrence, we design and craft almost everything you need to make the living room just right. Starting with our range of wall lights, pendants, floor and table lamps, you can go on to browse our extensive collection of fabric shade to finish off the look perfectly.⁠
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By thoughtfully layering ambient, task, and accent lighting, you have a space that can adapt for intimate evenings or larger gatherings.⁠
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Tap this image of our gorgeous Grantham light via the link in our bio to shop our edit for the living room.⁠
Perfect for brightening up a seasonal tablescape o Perfect for brightening up a seasonal tablescape or supplementing the glow of the hearth, a hurricane lamp like our Penfold adds further charm to autumnal interiors.⁠
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Tap this image via the link in our bio to find yours in a bronze, matt black, or polished finish.
From rather rustic roots to a refined living space From rather rustic roots to a refined living space, this barn kitchen is the heart of @bijoubarn 's 1800's home renovation. ⁠
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Glass pendants are a timeless choice that complement any space, no matter the size, shape, or colour palette. The Lansdown pendants may be large, but their lightweight look allows the room to breathe, whilst falling in effortlessly with their modern country style. Tap the image via the link in our bio to explore more handblown designs.
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